Yakupov takes shot at Oilers, shares which coach he didn't get along with

Former National Hockey League forward and first overall pick Nail Yakupov was a guest on the 'Dropping the Gloves' podcast this week and gave some insight about his time with the Edmonton Oilers.

Yakupov told co-hosts John Scott and Tim Dubya that it was difficult having a new coach almost every season while trying to learn new systems. He went on to add that he loved being coached by Ralph Krueger, but did not get along with Dallas Eakins.

"Yakupov said it was a challenge to have a new coach every year, which made it hard to built momentum in systems, chemistry, and confidence.

He loved Ralph Krueger.

He did not get along with Dallas Eakins."

Yakupov said it was a challenge to have a new coach every year, which made it hard to built momentum in systems, chemistry, and confidence.

He loved Ralph Krueger.

He did not get along with Dallas Eakins.#LetsGoOilers� Dropping the Gloves (@dropping_gloves) September 5, 2023

Just before the start of the 2016-17 season, Yakupov's time with the Oilers organization came to an end as they traded him to the St. Louis Blues. He went on to spend one year in St. Louis before signing with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent on July 4th, 2017.

Yakupov said that when he played with the Blues and Avalanche, the culture was significantly different and that the teams were wanting to win, adding that there was confidence in those two teams that the Oilers lacked.

"When he got to STL, and then COL the next year, Yakupov said he saw a substantial difference in culture and attitude toward winning.

There was a confidence that the Blues and Avs had that was missing in EDM. Not "Will we make playoffs?" but "How far will we go?"

After the 2017-18 season with Colorado, Yakupov headed back to Russia and has been playing in the Kontential Hockey League for the past six years. While it's unlikely that we'll every see Yakupov return to North America, it's interesting to hear his perspective on how things went for him on this side of the Atlantic during his NHL career.

When he got to STL, and then COL the next year, Yakupov said he saw a substantial difference in culture and attitude toward winning.

There was a confidence that the Blues and Avs had that was missing in EDM. Not "Will we make playoffs?" but "How far will we go?"� Dropping the Gloves (@dropping_gloves) September 5, 2023

Previously on Bladeofsteel

Philadelphia Flyers come to terms with 24-year-old RFA

Player with only 1 season of experience signs a 64.5 million deal contract with Atlantic Division team

400-game veteran signs PTO with worst team in league to continue NHL career

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